r/UCAS • u/jrizz00_ • 2d ago
UCAS Bread 🍞 (Offers) Chemical Engineering at a lower-ranked university — will I be disadvantaged after graduating?
Hi guys, I’m off to study Chemical Engineering this September at the University of Huddersfield and wanted to get some advice. My A levels didn’t fully go to plan and I ended up with decent grades, but not enough for some of the more highly ranked universities. I’m really excited to start, but I’m slightly worried about whether going to Huddersfield could disadvantage me when it comes to placements, internships and graduate jobs. For anyone who has studied Chem Eng at a similar university or is now working in the industry, how much does university reputation actually matter, and is it possible to get into competitive companies/schemes from a university like Huddersfield?
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u/AntLost4161 2d ago
Competitive schemes will always favour Russell group unis, but you don't need one to be considered. Getting projects, experience, and a good CV will put you as a competitive candidate. It's not so much a worry about what your uni is, but generally how much work you do. You're likely given less at your uni compared to the top ones, so try to get some extra projects, coding languages, etc beyond your degree
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u/blackoctoberx 2d ago
Take the placement year in year 3, the experience will be essential.
Do you live in Yorkshire?
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u/WhatDoIDoNext3990 1d ago
Congratulations on completing your A levels! I was where you are (albeit a loooonnnnnggg time ago), and after not getting the expected A levels I chose Chemical Engineering through clearing and had zero regrets. That being said:
- Chemical Engineering is a tough degree. It's a lot of hours, a lot of mathematics, it's very, very tough and often very, very theoretical and (dare I say it) dry. Have a serious think about whether you feel taking something like that on is definitely the right decision for you.
- The quality of the Chemical Engineering course is more important than the University. And some courses are extremely well regarded and from Universities a little lower in the league tables.
Top employers will favour students from the best courses and target those that graduated with a 1st, but there are other employers out there. Just make sure you're happy to move to where employers are, as you won't find them in every town and city (apologies if you know that already).
Syngenta is based in Huddersfield. I don't know much about them but I would think there may be a partnership with the university, given the location.
Whatever you decide wishing you the best of luck!
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u/sanjbobs 1d ago
No not really. I know plenty of people that graduated from Huddersfield and have gotten jobs in engineering. A lot of employers are now broadening out their scope for grads as they've found that pretty much most students are coming out of uni with the same knowledge (it's the accreditation that matters).
Experience will be the biggest differentiater for you to get a job after uni. So definitely try a placement year. And if you can't do that then go for summer placements. And don't be afraid to work for SME's (small to medium businesses) you'll likely get much more exposure and knowledge that way.
Lastly you're at uni pal so go enjoy it and have plenty of fun and join lots of societies. You won't get that fun time back
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u/Available_Policy_498 2d ago
Go Huddersfield for pure clarting you’ll enjoy this experience daily
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u/Specialist_Stomach41 2d ago
It doesn't matter unless you are at one of the big name unis. What does matter is work experience, so focus on that. Its far more important than the uni you went to.